Pennsylvania is the 33^rd Largest among the United States, spanning an area of 44,820 sq mi and water area of 1,239 sq mi. It acquired statehood on December 12, 1787. Pennsylvania is the 2^nd state of the 50 United States of America. The name means "Penn's woodland" and honors Admiral William Penn, whose son, William Penn, founded the colony. Pennsylvania is nicknamed The Keystone State. The term was probably first usedin reference to the state's political importance.

Geography of Pennsylvania

Capital City: Harrisburg
Population & Density: As per 2004 census estimate, the population is above 12.4 million and its growing everyday. Population density is 274 persons per sq mi.
Largest cities: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, Upper Darby Twp, Reading, Scranton, Bethlehem, Lower.
Neighbor States: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, West Virginia.

State Facts:

Pennsylvania Motto: Virtue, liberty, independence
State Symbols: Bird - Ruffed Grouse, Animal - Whitetail Deer, Fish - Brook Trout, Flower - Mountain Laurel, Tree - Western Hemlock, Song - "Pennsylvania," was written and composed by Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner.

Economy of Pennsylvania

Personal income per Capita - $20,880 (Recent census - 1999)
Agriculture - Dairy Products, Poultry, Cattle, Nursery Stock, Mushrooms, Hogs, Hay.
Industry - Food Processing, Chemical Products, Machinery, Electric Equipment, Tourism.

History of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania became the 2^nd state to ratify the U.S. Constitution and joined the United States of America on Dec. 12, 1787. Philadelphia served as the new nation's capital from 1790 to 1800. During the early 1900s, Pennsylvania continued to prosper. Much of the coal and steel for the United States was produced in this state. After the world war, State leaders created jobs through construction projects. The Pennsylvania Turnpike opened in 1940. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia experienced major redevelopment of the downtown areas and hundreds of new schools were built. Recently, state leaders are striving to expand and diversify Pennsylvania's economy. More encouragement is being given to educational, financial, and service industries. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have also developed many of their historical sites. This has created thousands of new jobs and attracted new investments to these cities.

Pennsylvania's State Flag is composed of a blue field on which is embroidered the State Coat of Arms. The first State Flag bearing the State Coat of Arms was authorized by the General Assembly in 1799. An act of the General Assembly of June 13, 1907, standardized the flag and required that the blue field match the blue of Old Glory.

Famous people of Pennsylvania

Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) Novelist. She wrote Little Women (1868-69), she was born in Germantown.
Martha Graham (1895-1991) Dancer and choreographer. She choreographed and danced in the ballet Appalachian Spring, she was born in Allegheny.
Edward Goodrich Acheson (1856-1931) Notable engineer and inventor, was born in Washington.
Alexander Calder (1898-1976) Famous sculptor, was born in Philadelphia.

Interesting Facts about Pennsylvania

• The nation's first circulating library, the Library Company of Philadelphia, was founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin and others.
• Hershey is considered the Chocolate Capital of the United States.
• The first commercial broadcast station in the world was KDKA in Pittsburgh, which started daily schedule broadcasting on November 2, 1920.
• The first all-motion-picture theater in the world was opened on Smithfield Street in Pittsburgh on June 19, 1905, by John P. Harris and Harry Davis.
• Pennsylvania is the first state of the fifty United States to list their web site URL on a license plate.